I like Sonic. I enjoy most of his games, including some of the newer 3D ones that everyone groans about. While the newer ones aren’t great by any means, I’ve always managed to squeeze a little fun out of them. So, every time a new Sonic game is announced, I think to myself, “This could be the one to turn things around.” After Sonic Unleashed, I don’t think I’ll ever be thinking that phrase again.
Sonic Unleashed is split into two types of gameplay; the flawed, but fun Sonic levels and the flawed, slow, boring, tedious, suicide-inducing Sonic the Werehog levels...If the split was 50/50 it wouldn’t be so painful to play this game...But it’s not 50/50....it’s more like 20/80. There is so much time devoted to these terrible werehog levels that it completely destroys any and all fun in the game. The first werehog level alone I had to re-start three times before I made it through. It wasn’t because I died, it wasn’t because it was hard, but it’s because it’s so boring that I legitimately began to fall asleep mid-way through the level due to the boredom. Did I mention that I have insomnia? I probably should. I have insomnia...And this game managed to put me asleep pretty easily. When I finally managed to make it through the first werehog level without needing a nap, I breathed a sigh of relief...Only to watch a few poor cutscenes, get teased that I’d be doing a regular, fast-paced Sonic level, only to get tossed right into another werehog level.
Now, you’re probably wondering why I hate these werehog levels so much...It’s simple; they’re all the same. Aside from a few very lame puzzles, all you’re doing is mashing an attack button while hordes of enemies attack. Occasionally, you’ll see that a meter is full from beating up bad guys...So, then you can trigger a berzerk-like mode where you beat everyone up faster...But it’s the exact same thing, just at a slightly different speed. So, you’re looking at twenty minutes of boring, mindless, button mashing whenever you enter a werehog level. It doesn’t feel like a game while you play these tedious levels...It feels like a horrible punishment.
The other levels are more traditional, lightning-fast Sonic levels. These levels are flawed a bit, but they’re also kind of fun. Using the shoulder buttons to quickly side-step objects while running is pretty fun to do...And the level ends so quickly (in comparison to the werehog levels, anyway) that you don’t really have the chance to ever get bored as you play these levels. There are aspects that can be improved, like the overall movement and jumping mechanics, but it’s a passable experience. If the whole game had been these levels, I’d likely give it a much more favorable score...But since these levels don’t happen nearly enough in the game, they really don’t do much to heal the damage that the werehog levels do to the experience.
Graphically, the game looks pretty good. The only real downside to the graphics is, again, the werehog levels. Since it’s always night in these levels, everything looks very bland...Which fits the mood they’ve set...But not all that nice to stare at while you spend twenty minutes completing the level. All of the cutscenes look excellent, though, regardless of whether it contains Sonic or his werehog alter-ego. Audio-wise, if you’ve heard voice-acting in a recent Sonic game, you know what to expect – it’s terrible. The soundtrack is a bit better, though. Most folks will likely enjoy all of the various background music they’ll hear through the game...If they can force themselves to play through more than a few levels. This game is a prime example of how a game can be pretty great cosmetically, but completely drop the ball in the gameplay department.
Overall, Sega has managed to fail once again at bringing Sonic back to its glory days as a top contender for game of the year awards. Sonic has been dying for so long that many younger gamers have never known such a thing as a ‘good’ Sonic game. Sonic Unleashed shows that if Sega did away with pointless gimmicks like the ridiculous arm-stretching werehog and just stuck with improving the formula that made him popular to begin with (lightning-fast levels with a little platforming and action sprinkled in) that it would be fun. The fast Sonic levels in Unleashed had room for improvement, but were still pretty fun to play...But are horribly bogged down by the completely terrible werehog levels. If a gameplay mechanic is so boring that it can put an insomniac to sleep, like it did to me, then there’s a problem. If you’re considering getting this game, I suggest that you turn around and do your best Sonic impersonation, running away. If you really want some Sonic fun, pick up a Genesis and a few of his 16-bit games...You’ll be much, much happier...And there won’t be a single werehog around to ruin your experience. - Ape
December 9, 2008
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